vitamink

My main computer was down for some reasons (I found it due to failure of smok test) and the dealer ordered the new one. But dealer said today that the main computer was opened before so they want to void the extended warranty. I did Kleemann K1 tune 4 years ago and I guess the deal meant ECU was touched before. I thought they cannot *see* the tune. Anyway should I tell Dealer that K1 is done but should not impact the warranty, or I should insist the CPU is not touched. I really appreciate your input!!!

JeffDL

for a kleemann tune they have to physically open the ECU. so yes the dealer can do what they want because your ECU has been tampered with (there is physical evidence) and yes a tune can and will void your warranty.

vitamink

thanks for the input. But from what I read here is that K1 tune won't void the warranty and that was the main reason I decided to go with Kleemann tune. Any thoughts?

ZephyrAMG

Don't whimper woe is me and play stupid. You got a tune and now can't face the facts that a dealer WILL void your warranty if you need work. You knew this when you did the tune and now face the crowd.

Get a tune = warranty may be voided. Pay to play.

m a x i m u s

I'd call Kleeman and ask them.

vitamink

Thanks and I really appreciate it. The office is closed during the holiday and I will call them next year then.

INS1GNIA

Mercedes does not have any sort of agreement with aftermarket brands that keeps you safe from voiding the warranty, no matter what they say. As Maximus pretty much said, you're sh*t out of luck.

Wobble64

If your main ECU needs to be replaced, you are out of luck. Anything else, they would need to make a plausible connection between the tune and the failure of whatever needs to be replaced.
Opening an ECU, may lead to ingress of moisture later, for example.


Mine was opened too, so I am carrying the same risk.


How much do they want to charge you?

vitamink

Deal said about $2000.

vitamink

Good to know. I didn't know that ECU failure was the worst case here. I guess I will try my luck or quote a better price from different dealer out of pocket.

xxaarraa

Easy there, no need to beat on a guy when he's down.

OP, I'd wait till Kleeman opens back up after the holidays and speak with them first before admitting anything to the dealer. Hope you sort this out.

JeffDL

there really is no admitting to anything the dealer clearly knows the ECU was tampered with. it's very obvious if you look at it. but yeah good luck to the OP. I believe the thought process is the Kleemann (i had it on my 09) is a "safe" tune that doesn't go after the highest of high hp numbers but any ECU tampering and re-tuning is grounds for warranty voiding. it's a risk we all take or did I wouldn't tune my new p31 car.

Wobble64

What is the problem with the ECU? If it is that it does not pass the internal emission checks, then it might be a tune issue and not need a new ECU. Does the dealership know what they are talking about or do they simply have a knee jerk reaction to seeing a tampered ECU?

Does the car still drive?

PaulE550

Interesting and educational thread, which is what I like about this site. I have a quick question: For those advocating that OP call the tuner before admitting anything to the MB dealership, after the dealership has already discovered the ECU was previously opened (and thus proof of "tampering", what could the tuner tell OP that would get the MB dealership to replace the ECU under warranty?

My understanding from reading numerous threads on this and other MB centric sites is that if MB finds evidence of a tune (they considering it "tampering"), in this case they apparently found evidence after examining OP's ECU, that MB can void the vehicle's warranty for that repair. As others have said here "Get a tune = warranty may be voided. Pay to play.", which is what I would expect given MB's position on tuning.

Mbm6f

I don't see any whimpering or playing stupid. Just trying to be proactive about helping himself and determining what his options are.

Case1906

This ^^^

vitamink

The car is still drivable but can't pass the Smog test. Dealer checked a few things and found that ecu doesn't response some test so they ordered the new ecu. When they tried to replace the new one they saw it was opened before. That's why they want to void it. The car is driving ok but need to pass test to get sticker. Maybe I can wipe the tune and it might work. Anyway I will call Kleemann next week and figure out the best move.

BLKROKT

My guess is that one of your readiness monitors is showing 'not ready', and it's not a bad ECU, but how your O2 sensors are programmed for your tune and possibly lack of cats. What other mods are done to your car? Secondary cat delete?

Wobble64

In that case I suspect the tune suppresses the emission checks. Mine also shows emission tests incomplete, but the tune suppresses any warning light.
There is a good chance it may be solvable by adjusting the tune. Yes, Kleemann should be able to help with that.

vitamink

This is really helpful and I really appreciate it. I will call Kleemann for sure and it seems I basically need to remove the tune.

vitamink

No K1 tune was the only one I had. It seems tune has some impact the smog test and btw this is the first year the smog test was required.

JeffDL

i actually know the problem, I went through this with my 09. the old K1 tunes turned off some of the OBDII monitors. if you send the ECU back to Kleemann they will re-flash it for free and it will pass any emissions tests. The only real problem here is the dealer has already noticed the ECU has been tampered with so they could flag the car or whatever.

JeffDL

exactly this. even with cats kleemann was turning off monitors. they have a fix just requires you to send them the ECU.

Roswell

From reading OP post, it seems like the stealership already ordered & tried to replace the ecu?

If so, can u even return the new one?

CarHopper

If I had a dollar... sigh.

Okay, so as mentioned and just to confirm, that K1 tune involves actually going into the ECU (so the tech can visually tell the ECU has been tampered with) and those K1 tunes from Kleemann turned off your o2 monitors so you wouldn't pass regardless.

There is NO need for a new ECU. Just send your current ecu off to kleemann and have them retune it but make sure you tell them you want the monitors to remain untouched.

At this point, kiss that warranty goodbye. At least at that dealership.

Next order of business, for those of you in the OBDII tuning game, the dealer can tell your car is tuned. The fact of the matter is once the car is tuned, if something catastrophic happens to your car and you're trying to get warranty work done they are going to dig and find the tune whether you like it or not. Sure, tuners will say they cant be seen or detected blah blah. They can.

Furthermore, IF YOU BOUGHT A USED C63, you also may want to be prepared to have your warranty voided even if you haven't touched the car. Previous owners likely have.


OP -- Make every effort to make sure the dealer does not put in the new ECU. It's pointless. I mean, you can have them do it but your warranty will still be voided and you'll be back on a stock tune.